2024 Six Nations Chat

[PIEANDAPINT]

Back to the England game - shout out for unsung hero, Dan Cole. Often maligned ( including on this forum) Dan has played a key part in England’s 2 most impressive performances over the past 12 months, yesterday and v Boks in the World Cup. At least held his own v Porter yesterday in the tight and as a result Porter contributed v little during the game. Dan will never side step his way to a try or carry for 20 metres ( even 10 or 5 ) but a class and often under rated scrummager who does the basics well - not bad for an old git!

[mol2]

Agree a obout Dan Cole.

(Wrongly) got the blame for the scrum problems in the 2019 which were more down to the problems on the loose head side caused by Macko's technical deficiencies which Jones seemed to overlook. Similarly with Sinckler.

If props can't hold their own the scrum will leak penalties.

[Jimmy Skitz]

if only the second best tighthead was on the bench in stead of Stuart

[Jimmy Skitz]

looking at his England situation I do wonder if Steve will be speaking to Freddie about a position change, he is too good a player to leave out, I'd still be starting him at 15 personally but with England having a serious lack of midfield options I could see Steve wanting him there, at least as an option if he's in the 23 shirt

[Rugbygramps]

looking at his England situation I do wonder if Steve will be speaking to Freddie about a position change, he is too good a player to leave out, I'd still be starting him at 15 personally but with England having a serious lack of midfield options I could see Steve wanting him there, at least as an option if he's in the 23 shirt

At 6ft 7 he’d make a decent line out option. Are you thinking 2nd row ?

[sam16111986]

Back to the England game - shout out for unsung hero, Dan Cole. Often maligned ( including on this forum) Dan has played a key part in England’s 2 most impressive performances over the past 12 months, yesterday and v Boks in the World Cup. At least held his own v Porter yesterday in the tight and as a result Porter contributed v little during the game. Dan will never side step his way to a try or carry for 20 metres ( even 10 or 5 ) but a class and often under rated scrummager who does the basics well - not bad for an old git!

Big Dan's work in defence is very good. Not many scrum specialist tightheads get around like he does. Add to that all rucks he hits in attack. There's no ego, he doesn't go looking for a carry he does his bit for the team, the unglamorous bits. There's a reason Borthwick has him starting.

Borthwick saw the strategies he's been working on for the tournament start to come to fruition at the weekend. The new blitz defence was a smothering physical blanket that left an exceptional Irish team struggling. The attack fired shots, some better handling at times and we could have won that without the need to a last minute drop goal. Hopefully the miserable ex pros in the press who just moan continually will actually back him for a change. What's he's trying to build will make England a great team to watch and capable of turning over the big teams.

[Rugbygramps]

Back to the England game - shout out for unsung hero, Dan Cole. Often maligned ( including on this forum) Dan has played a key part in England’s 2 most impressive performances over the past 12 months, yesterday and v Boks in the World Cup. At least held his own v Porter yesterday in the tight and as a result Porter contributed v little during the game. Dan will never side step his way to a try or carry for 20 metres ( even 10 or 5 ) but a class and often under rated scrummager who does the basics well - not bad for an old git!

Big Dan's work in defence is very good. Not many scrum specialist tightheads get around like he does. Add to that all rucks he hits in attack. There's no ego, he doesn't go looking for a carry he does his bit for the team, the unglamorous bits. There's a reason Borthwick has him starting.

Borthwick saw the strategies he's been working on for the tournament start to come to fruition at the weekend. The new blitz defence was a smothering physical blanket that left an exceptional Irish team struggling. The attack fired shots, some better handling at times and we could have won that without the need to a last minute drop goal. Hopefully the miserable ex pros in the press who just moan continually will actually back him for a change. What's he's trying to build will make England a great team to watch and capable of turning over the big teams.

Totally agree with all of the above, and let’s not forget Dan’s line out win.
It is very important to not get carried away with one win, you are only as good as your last game.
There were definite signs of change but, it won’t be rushed. I also think it’s encouraging at the amount of young talent not only in that side but plain the premiership. Imo it’s brilliant move by Borthwick to call Guy Pepper into the extended squad this week. He almost certainly won’t be involved against the French but sends a really positive message

[TigerFeetSteve]

looking at his England situation I do wonder if Steve will be speaking to Freddie about a position change, he is too good a player to leave out, I'd still be starting him at 15 personally but with England having a serious lack of midfield options I could see Steve wanting him there, at least as an option if he's in the 23 shirt

Why not move Furbank into the centres? He's a player who has played more in alternative positions than Freddie?

[Snowdrop]

As a Scot, well done to England. Not sure where that performance cam from, but a positive going forward.

Question regarding the Scotland vs Italy game. The deliberate knock-on at the end, which resulted in a penalty. Why not a yellow card, when deliberate equals cynical equals a yellow? Jones had a very good chance to score the try. It seems the only person who thought otherwise was the ref. Even Dickson thought yellow.

[Rugbygramps]

As a Scot, well done to England. Not sure where that performance cam from, but a positive going forward.

Question regarding the Scotland vs Italy game. The deliberate knock-on at the end, which resulted in a penalty. Why not a yellow card, when deliberate equals cynical equals a yellow? Jones had a very good chance to score the try. It seems the only person who thought otherwise was the ref. Even Dickson thought yellow.

The logic behind was that there was no clear line break as there was a 2 on 2 situation so just a penalty.
I do agree it could have more but I did think Dickson was being a little too vociferous in his opinion

[Scott1]

How good was Martin?! Worse thing Aki did was run over him,that just took him to another level

[ay2oh]

Thought nearly everyone played well with the exception of care when he came on who kicked badly and unnecessarily .

[Leicestertinytiger]

Yep everyone had a good game by and large. Ford’s kicking for sticks was below his usual best. Care though was awful off the bench and obviously missing JVP or Quirke.

George Martin is becoming the mainstay of the pack. His physicality just seems to elevate the team and we’re a different beast without him. Him and Underhill crunch people.

[ay2oh]

Yep everyone had a good game by and large. Ford’s kicking for sticks was below his usual best. Care though was awful off the bench and obviously missing JVP or Quirke.

George Martin is becoming the mainstay of the pack. His physicality just seems to elevate the team and we’re a different beast without him. Him and Underhill crunch people.

Tigers are very well stocked at lock with Martin Chessum and Henderson .

[Leicestertinytiger]

Yep everyone had a good game by and large. Ford’s kicking for sticks was below his usual best. Care though was awful off the bench and obviously missing JVP or Quirke.

George Martin is becoming the mainstay of the pack. His physicality just seems to elevate the team and we’re a different beast without him. Him and Underhill crunch people.

Tigers are very well stocked at lock with Martin Chessum and Henderson .

Lewis Chessum coming through too. Don’t forget Wells.